- Monday, 19 July 2021 14:57
- Written by David Pipe
We drew a blank last week but our Newton Abbot runners on Sunday both performed creditably, offering hope of winners to come. Oneonechop and Koi Dodville contested the juvenile hurdle at a sun-baked Newton Abbot on Sunday, filling third and fourth placings respectively.
Oneonechop was taking a good step forward from his debut effort at Stratford the previous weekend, staying on in good style to be beaten only 1½ lengths. This was much more like it, proving that he has the required stamina for the jumping game and he should be winning something similar before long. Inded, he could go to Uttoxeter this weekend.
Koi Dodville was trying to shrug off a big penalty for his previous successes and ran well once again, only being found out approaching the last. He jumped much better than he had done on his previous couple of starts and having won at Hexham and Aintree, he may well be suited by a more galloping track. A winner on the level over 1m2f in France, a return to flat is also an option.
The Week Ahead
Looking to this week and it will be a quiet start with the first runners not coming before Thursday. That may not be such a bad thing with this sweltering weather due to break sometime before the weekend. Lady Reset, already a dual winner on the level, is engaged in the 1m2f handicap at Sandown on Thursday and she is a likely runner there. The better ground would certainly be in her favour.
Veiled Secret and Do Ya Feel Lucky hold entries at Worcester the same afternoon, whilst Mr Tambourine Man is entered at Salisbury on Saturday. Oneonechop and the David Pipe Racing Club’s filly, To Fly Free completes our entries at Uttoxeter on Sunday. Keep up to date with our daily news page for more details on runners.
Panorama
Racing will be bracing itself tonight ahead of the Panorama programme entitled, “The Dark Side of Horse Racing” which will try to establish that racehorses are regularly mistreated by trainers in Britain and Ireland. The fact is these fanciful allegations could not be further from the truth with the horses in our care receiving the best attention that money can buy.
I am sure it is the same case in the overwhelming majority of stables in the country with the horses loved and cared for by the doting lads and lasses who look after them on a daily basis. Unfortunately, as in all walks of life, there will always be the odd bad apple that spoils the bunch (and that is no way trying to excuse poor practice, as the welfare of the horse should always be everybody’s priority), but it would be extremely rare and should not paint those who love and care for their horses, racing or retired in a bad light.
We are very proud of our record of finding homes and second careers for our horses when their racing days are done and have a number of our ex-racehorses on our website with details of what they are doing now. Between us and my father’s old head lad, Dennis and his partner Norma we do a great job in finding suitable homes.
National Racehorse Week
Proof of the pudding is in the eating and Great British Racing have come up with a fantastic initiative called “National Racehorse Week” to celebrate these wonderful animals and give people a better insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes to get them to the racecourse. National Racehorse Week will take place 12th-19th September and will allow people exclusive access to over 100 stables up and down the country.
We have already signed-up to be a part of this great idea and will be opening the doors to the famous Pond House stables on Monday 13th September. Numbers are limited to 100 people and booking is essential through the NRW website: https://nationalracehorseweek.uk/yard/david-pipe. You will be able to take a look around the stables, meet the horses and my knowledgeable staff and see the horses in action on the gallops, schooling and swimming. It should be a great day but do book early to be sure of your place.
